From time to time I run across development tools that get me really interested. Either I end up using them in my main toolset as soon as I feel moderately comfortable using them or I atleast keep a tab on how they are coming along. In the past year or so, I've come across some fun projects and I see a bright future for them (or atleast I hope for a bright future for them). So, in no particular order, here are 4 tools you really should try out if you haven't done so already.

1. Fossil SCM
This is *the* tool that made me want to write this blog post. Its a distributed version control system made by the creator of SQLite. And like SQLite, its small and self-contained. The whole project is a single executable which features not only a good DVCS but a bug tracker and Wiki built-in complete with a fairly decent web interface. Yes, you got that right - all in one executable just under 400KB! And its pretty usable too, I've used it for a small project and it worked quite decently.http://www.fossil-scm.org

2. Console2
A much better command prompt for Windows than the standard cmd.exe. The biggest advantage is the tab support which allows you to run multiple command prompts in the same window. Not too mention, its slightly better looking too. http://sourceforge.n...ojects/console/

3. CGI::Application + HTML::Template
So you're a Perl hacker who wants to jump into the shiny MVC web app coding but have no idea what the heck is Ruby and/or Rails, fear no more. CGI::Application alongwith HTML::Template provide a really lightweight and easy-to-use MVC framework that's clean, fast and extensible. Don't be misled by its harmless sounding name, its really quite cutting edge and is much easier if you know Perl and don't want to learn a complicated framework (relatively) like Catalyst or learn a new programming language.http://www.cgi-app.org/

4. Viki
If you use Vim for your coding tasks, try the Viki plugin which is basically a wiki built right into Vim. Its super useful for taking notes while not leaving your code editor and having the modal interface is a big plus if you get used to it. I use it frequently to keep a tab on what I am thinking right before I jump on making the code. And oh, also for writing some things I can't put in comments of a code I'm planning to share http://www.vim.org/s...p?script_id=861